The top 5 players the Cowboys regret passing on in 2011 draft, including several defensive studs

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SEATTLE, WA - DECEMBER 09: Richard Sherman #25 of the Seattle Seahawks scores a touchdown on a interception return against the Arizona Cardinals at CenturyLink Field on December 9, 2012 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Kevin Casey/Getty Images)

Every team passed on the Broncos cornerback in the 2011 draft. And Harris has proved what a mistake that was. He's a three-time Pro Bowler, who has made 16 interceptions in his career. And durable? Harris has been in the league for seven seasons and missed only one game. He could have been a fixture in a Cowboys secondary that was desperately looking to upgrade that year.

This is the draft the Cowboys began to rebuild their offensive line, using their first-round pick on Tyron Smith. If they had come back in the sixth round with Kelce, they could have come away with two cornerstones in their reclamation project. Kelce ran the fastest 40 time of any offensive lineman at the Indianapolis combine and became the first rookie in Eagles history to step in from Day One and start at center. He has not missed a game the last three seasons and has been named to two Pro Bowls.

3. Justin Houston, LB -- Georgia

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DENVER, CO - NOVEMBER 27: Outside linebacker Justin Houston #50 of the Kansas City Chiefs sacks quarterback Trevor Siemian #13 of the Denver Broncos for a safety in the second quarter of the game at Sports Authority Field at Mile High on November 27, 2016 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)

Drafted 70th overall by the Kansas City Chiefs

The Cowboys grabbed an inside linebacker, Bruce Carter, in the second round with the 40th overall pick. But Houston, an edge rusher, would have fit nicely in the 3-4 scheme the Cowboys were running then. The four-time Pro Bowler has been a force. Houston led the NFL and set a Chiefs franchise record with 22 sacks in 2014. He's racked up a remarkable 43 sacks in 47 games over the past four seasons.

2. Richard Sherman, CB -- Stanford

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SEATTLE, WA - NOVEMBER 07: Cornerback Richard Sherman #25 of the Seattle Seahawks warms up before an NFL game against the Buffalo Bills at CenturyLink Field on November 7, 2016 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Jonathan Ferrey/Getty Images)

Drafted 154th overall by the Seattle Seahawks

The Cowboys wouldn't have traded up and drafted Morris Claiborne in 2012 had they grabbed Sherman instead of Buffalo cornerback Josh Thomas, who was selected with pick No. 143. Sherman, who has made four Pro Bowls, has become one of the top corners in the league and thrives in a defensive system that is very similar to what the Cowboys are running now with Rod Marinelli. He led the league in interceptions with eight in 2013. Sherman has 32 interceptions and defended 99 passes since he first came into the NFL.

1. J.J. Watt, DE -- Wisconsin

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HOUSTON, TX - SEPTEMBER 18: J.J. Watt #99 of the Houston Texans waits for a play in the fourth quarter of their game against the Kansas City Chiefs at NRG Stadium on September 18, 2016 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Scott Halleran/Getty Images)

Drafted 11th overall by the Houston Texans

It's hard to argue with the Cowboys' selection of left tackle Tyron Smith. But if the team had chosen to emphasize the defensive side of the ball, it could have taken Watt. The defensive lineman has been one of the league's transcendent performers. Watt was named the NFL's Defensive Player of the Year three times in his first five seasons and earned four, first-team All Pro honors during that period. His 76 sacks and 15 forced fumbles are both franchise records. Watt didn't miss a game his first five seasons but since then has played in a total of only eight games over the past two seasons due to injuries.